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2004 Lincoln Navigator

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Lincoln Navigator do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 30.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

62 reports with mileage · 24 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

8 reports
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170,000 miles · Mar 21, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

FOR THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS MY VEHICLE HAS SPORADICALLY STALLED/STOPPED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN IT STOPS LIKE THIS IT CAN OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY OR SURFACE STREETS WITHOUT NOTICE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LINCOLN DEALER TWO TIMES WITH THE LAST TIME BEING TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, WHICH I WAS SKEPTICAL, BECAUSE OF NO PREVI…

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FOR THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS MY VEHICLE HAS SPORADICALLY STALLED/STOPPED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN IT STOPS LIKE THIS IT CAN OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY OR SURFACE STREETS WITHOUT NOTICE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LINCOLN DEALER TWO TIMES WITH THE LAST TIME BEING TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, WHICH I WAS SKEPTICAL, BECAUSE OF NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. I HAVE REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM FORD MOTOR WHO ESSENTIALLY DISMISSED WITHOUT ANY LIABILITY DUE TO THE CAR BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. I AM REQUESTING YOUR ASSISTANCE BEFORE THERE IS ANY INJURY, ACCIDENT OR FATALITY. I HAVE THE E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE WITH FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574086

72,123 miles · Mar 26, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE NUMBER THREE SPARK PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR BLEW OUT. THE CAR HAS 72000 MILE ON IT AND IS EXCELLENT CONDITION. THIS IS DEFECT, THERE SHOULD BE MORE THREADS HOLDING THE SPARK PLUG IN PACE, THIS CAR USES ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS, THE MANUFACTURES DESIGN DID NOT PUT ENOUGH THREADS IN PLACE FOR ALU…

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THE NUMBER THREE SPARK PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR BLEW OUT. THE CAR HAS 72000 MILE ON IT AND IS EXCELLENT CONDITION. THIS IS DEFECT, THERE SHOULD BE MORE THREADS HOLDING THE SPARK PLUG IN PACE, THIS CAR USES ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS, THE MANUFACTURES DESIGN DID NOT PUT ENOUGH THREADS IN PLACE FOR ALUMINUM TO HOLD THE PLUG OVER THE USABLE LIFE OF THE CAR AND ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263111

111,117 miles · Dec 13, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251692

50,800 miles · Jul 29, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentStructure

NOTICED THE AIR COMPRESSOR RAN ALL OF THE TIME FOR THE AIR RIDE SYSTEM. THE CAR WAS STILL IN WARRANTY TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM. 800 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY THE RIDE SIDE AIR SHOCK WENT BAD AND BURNED OUT THE COMPRESSOR. LOOKED UP OLD PAPER WORK AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAS PUT ON A NOISE …

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NOTICED THE AIR COMPRESSOR RAN ALL OF THE TIME FOR THE AIR RIDE SYSTEM. THE CAR WAS STILL IN WARRANTY TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM. 800 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY THE RIDE SIDE AIR SHOCK WENT BAD AND BURNED OUT THE COMPRESSOR. LOOKED UP OLD PAPER WORK AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAS PUT ON A NOISE REDUCTION KIT ON THE COMPRESSOR. SO WE COULD NO LONGER HEAR IT RUN. CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT LINCOLN. THEY TOLD US SORRY ABOUT YOUR LUCK IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE BAGS ON THE AIR RIDE SYSTEM WERE DRY ROTTED (THE TRUCK HAS 50,800 MILES. HE SAID THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD AND LINCOLN. THEY REPLACE AT LEAST 8 SETS A WEEK. I HAD THE RIGHT SIDE FIXED, NEW COMPRESSOR. NOW 7 MONTHS LATER THE LEFT SIDE AS DONE THE SAME THING (55,000 MILES). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236202

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

FIRST WEEK IN DECEMBER TOOK 2004 NAVIGATOR WITH 29,000 MILES TO DEALERSHIP AFTER HEARING A VERY CLUNKING SOUND. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 2 WEEKS FOR PART. I CALLED LINCOLN TO STATE MY COMPLAIN AS TO WHY IT WAS GOING TAKE SO LONG AND WAS TOLD THE WAREHOUSE THAT STORED THEM…

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FIRST WEEK IN DECEMBER TOOK 2004 NAVIGATOR WITH 29,000 MILES TO DEALERSHIP AFTER HEARING A VERY CLUNKING SOUND. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 2 WEEKS FOR PART. I CALLED LINCOLN TO STATE MY COMPLAIN AS TO WHY IT WAS GOING TAKE SO LONG AND WAS TOLD THE WAREHOUSE THAT STORED THEM BURNT DOWN. TOO MAKE A VERY TRYING STORY SHORT IT WILL BE 2 MONTHS UNTIL I GET MY NAVIGATOR REPAIRED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE TOLD BY LINCOLN THAT THE PART HAS TO BE MADE AND THEN TESTED BEFORE THEY SHIP IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. I CAN NOW UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE ARE BUYING THE IMPORTS AND WHY AMERICAN CAR MAKERS ARE HURTING. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER LINCOLN AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10178235

145,000 miles · Nov 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR TWO MONTHS FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/18/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174552

32,658 miles · Sep 16, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

IN NOV 05 THE CAR STARTED TO SHUT OFF MOMENTARILY AS YOU STARTED TO DRIVE, IT WOULD DO IT ONLY WHEN YOU WOULD TAKE OFF FROM A STOP AND NEVER AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THIS WOULD OCCUR 50% OF THE TIME. THE DEALER HAD IT ON 11-7 AND REPLACED THE CAM POSITION SENSOR. WHEN I PICKED IT UP ON 11-8 IT WAS WORSE THAN BEFORE. I RETURNED IT ON 1…

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IN NOV 05 THE CAR STARTED TO SHUT OFF MOMENTARILY AS YOU STARTED TO DRIVE, IT WOULD DO IT ONLY WHEN YOU WOULD TAKE OFF FROM A STOP AND NEVER AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THIS WOULD OCCUR 50% OF THE TIME. THE DEALER HAD IT ON 11-7 AND REPLACED THE CAM POSITION SENSOR. WHEN I PICKED IT UP ON 11-8 IT WAS WORSE THAN BEFORE. I RETURNED IT ON 11-9 THEY RETURNED IT ON 11-19 AFTER REPLACING ONE OF THE COILS. THIS HELPED BUT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM, STILL HAD THE HESITATION LEAVING A STOP BUT ONLY HAPPENED 2-3 TIMES IN THE 1ST WEEK. IN THE 2ND WEEK AS I SLOWED DOWN FOR A STOP IT SHUT COMPLETELY OFF, WHEN I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL , TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON IT STARTED. IT CONTINUED TO HESITATE AT TIME WHEN YOU WERE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC BUT WOULD NOT SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. THIS PAST WEEK THE HESITATIONS BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND ON TUGS 5-16 IT SHUT DOWN TOTALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AS I TURNED A CORNER. I DELIVERED THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER IN THE AFTERNOON, HE CALL AND SAID NOTHING COULD BE FOUND AND COULD ONE OF THE TECHS DRIVE IT HOME FOR A TEST DRIVE, I AGREED. HE CALLED AND REPORTED THE CAR RUNS PERFECT AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE CAR NOW SHUTS OFF MOMENTARILY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND IS VERY VIOLENT. THE CAR ONCE ACTED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING ON 4 CYLINDERS AND SLOWED DOWN TO 30 MPH, AFTER PULLING OVER ON THE FREEWAY SHUTTING THE KEY OFF IT WORK K AGAIN. DEALER STILL CAN'T DETECT WHAT IS WRONG IN SEPTEMBER 2006. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10168436

26,000 miles · Mar 30, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE SPEED DECREASED TO 50MPH FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE VACUUM MODULE ON THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ENGINE VACUUM MODULE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10154188

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP05005 · Spark Plug Ejection From Cylinder Head

Opened Sep 22, 2005 · Closed Jan 4, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

Engine And Engine Cooling

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.